Call for Donations

Dear Friends,

This is special call for donations to support the human rights of women and children in Nepal.

You are aware that the Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON) is a human rights non-government organization established in 2000 by a group of media professionals who had been actively working in the field of human rights advocacy across the country. IHRICON is a non-profit and non-political human rights organization registered as per the provision of Nepal Government, is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the different programs in 2010 to complete its commitment towards the women and children.

Over the past decade IHRICON has been at the forefront of attempting to improve the rights of women and children in Nepal. We believe that IHRICON has made a considerable contribution in bringing about the current peace In Nepal after the decade long bloodshed between the Government and the insurgent party. IHRICON undertook many activities during this time and we worked with many other like minded organisations across the country.

Our goal today is to spread the message that non-violence, tolerance, respect for human rights, media for peace and democracy, and development are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. It is our duty to use all of our human potential, and our most creative thinking — based on the values of truth, justice, equality and human rights for all. I am convinced through my own personal experience that non-violence is the only means to achieve lasting peace between the people.

The main focus of the work being undertaken by IHRICON currently is:

• Getting actively involved in human rights' monitoring, reporting and advocacy and working closely with women and children who have been affected by the armed conflict and by the illegal use of small arms.
• Promoting the involvement of local women to carry out the role of peace volunteers and getting women actively involved in the process of peace building.
• Conducting innovative and high profile advocacy campaigns (through the Nepali media) and endeavouring to bring about positive changes to human rights and peace related issues, particularly focusing on the rights of women and children.

In August 2010 we celebrate our 10th Anniversary as an innovative organisation within Nepal. During these 10 years we have made a significant impact in how Nepal responds to the need for much greater support for human rights within the country. We also promote this message across the world and have been very influential within the work that the United Nations undertakes to implement Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

During this celebration year we are looking to raise funds in two major areas:

§ The first is to support 10 scholarships for journalists to enhance their skills and opportunities across the wide range of media formats within Nepal.

§ The second is to raise funds to cover our operating costs so that we can continue to play an important role during the transition period in Nepal towards much greater democracy. Whilst we have carried out a number of key projects with major international donors over the past few years there is a need to have our minimal operating costs covered. To have these costs covered will allow us to retain our first class team of people as well as maintain our professional office in which we work to implement our programmes.

The celebration fund cost we are looking to raise is NRs. 1,000,000 ($ 14,000)

If you would like to support this very good cause we would ask you to donate as much or as little as you can offer. We will ensure that the money that is donated goes towards making sure that IHRICON remains a innovative organisation and that it is successful in delivering a vast improvement to the human rights of all the women and children across Nepal.

To make a contribution you will need to either send a cheque to our address in Kathmandu or you can email us and we will send you details of our bank account to allow you to make a bank transfer directly into our account.

We thank you in anticipation for your generous contribution and if you wish to see how the money has been spent you will be able to obtain updated information of our website www.ihricon.org.np. We shall also provide updates on the website about the total amount raised and the source of the funds.

Many thanks again for your generosity and your support.

Shobha Gautam

Founder President

Please make contact on the email address below to provide us with feedback, advice, information, and/or assistance.

Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON)
G.P.O. Box No. 5188, Thapathali, Kathmandu.